Sterilization of grain by fumigation.



To all whom it may concern:

JACOB BLOOH, OF BERLIN, GERMANY.

STERILIZATION OF GRAIN BY FUMIGATION.

, Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 8, 1908.

Application filed February 7, 1908. Serial No. 414,834.

Be it known that I, JAooB BLOCH, merchant, a subject of the GermanEmperor, and a resident of Berlin, Germany, have invented certain newanduseful Improvements in the Sterilization of Grain by Fumigation, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to an improved process of treating grain,more especially wheat, barley and oats, for the purpose of destroyingthe blight and other parasitic fungi adhering to it.

According to most prior processes the rain is treated with liquids, morearticuarly with a solution ofco per vitrio which is, for instance,spraye over the grain. Such processes, however, possess numerousdisadvantages; for the li uid acts very irregularly, many of theindividual grains being inadequately acted upon, so that the spores arenot completely annihilated. Furt ermore, the after-drying of the treatedmaterial is attended with much trouble and expense and the workmen,moreover, are exposed to the injurious action of the vitriol or othersolution used. Again, mixtures of sulfur, saltpeter and carbonaceoussubstances have been burned for the purpose of bleaching the grain, inorder to impart to old grain a fresher appearance. There has, however,been no intention here of destroying pathogenic spores, nor could thisbe accomplished,

since by combination of the said substances the only gaseous productsthat result are carbon oxid, carbon dioxid and nitro en, 7 e. gaseshardly exerting a sterilizing e ect. According to the present invention,on the contrary, the grain is inclosed on all sides, an is there under atemperature of about 60 centigrade subjected -to the action ofpreviously in a suitably manner developed fumes of a powdersubstantiallyconsisting of 18 parts sulfur, 15 parts saltpeter, 15 partssal-ammoniac, 15 parts colophony and 15 parts copper vitriol.

necessary in prior apparatuses.

laced in a chamber In this manner the parasitic spores on the grain willbe annihilated, without, however, the germinating ower of the grainbeing injuriously affected In the well-known fumigatin process thetemperature is only inconsidera ly elevated, the apparatus is notthoroughly closed, and the grains themselves are not heated to any greatextent. In my process, on the other hand, it is of the utmost importancethat the temperature be sufficiently raised to about 60 centigrade, soas to completely vaporize the less volatile ingredients of the mixture.

The higher temperature is of essential influence upon the efficiency .ofthe whole process. The grains sweat and thus the active agent adheresthe better; but at the same time the degreeof humidity is not such aswould call for special drying after the fumigation. The high temperaturein itself, moreover, greatly aids in the annihilation of the spores.

Uniform action is promoted by the walls, joints etc. of the a paratusbeing made with a closer fit than as been customary or In this manner,too, the esca e from the apparatus of fumes injurious to t e health ofthe workmen is prevented, even after long use-of the contrivance.

. Havin thus described my invention, I declare t at what I claim as newis The process of fumigating rain, consisting in submitting the latterto f imes generated from a mixture containing substantially 18 partssulfur, 15 parts saltpeter, '15 parts colophony, 15 parts sal-ammoniacand 15 parts JACOB BLOCH.

Witnesses:

. HENRY HASPER,

WOLDEMAR HAUcrr.

